(Oct. 8, 2025 / JNS) JAfter the Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned as “shameful” the actions of pro-Hamas student groups at Montreal universities, violent anti-Israel protests escalated into open riots on Tuesday.

Chaos engulfed Montreal’s downtown as riot police clashed with protesters outside both Concordia University and McGill University. Montreal police said they had been aware of planned demonstrations and had deployed units to “ensure everyone’s safety.”

Concordia earlier announced the closure of its Sir George Williams downtown campus due to “threats of extreme disruption,” according to an email from President and Vice Chancellor Graham Carr to students and staff obtained by Canada’s National Post newspaper.